What's Not Included DETAILED ITINERARY

Transcription

1 11 days Starts/Ends: Marrakech Soak up the atmosphere in Marrakech, camel trek into the vast wilderness of the Sahara, explore ancient Kasbahs in the Atlas and relax beachside in Essaouira, on Morocco's stunning Atlantic coast! HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Essaouira - ancient medina, wind swept beaches and current day fishing village Marrakech - UNESCO-listed Place Djemaa el Fna, medina and market place Bahia Palace and Koutoubia Mosque Aït Benhaddou - UNESCO-listed fortified kasbah city Dades Gorge, Jebel Sarhro Erg Chebbi sand dunes - beginning of the Sahara Merzouga - camel trek and Berber style camp Todra Gorge - towering 300m high canyon High Atlas Mountains and views of Mt Toubkal - North Africa's highest peak Ouarzazate - home to Morocco's film industry What's Included Transportation and transfers in private 4x4 or mini van/touring vehicle. Journey to/ from Essaouira on a Supratours public bus. Entrance fees to all included sites 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners including Berber camp dinner 9 nights 3 star hotel and 1 night camping in the Sahara Arrival transfer from Marrakech airport on day 1 Sahara camel trek & night in a Berber camp. Guided tour of Marrakech Essaouira - beachside bliss and free time Escorted by an English speaking tour leader All road taxes and tolls What's Not Included Tipping Kitty: USD$60 Gratuity for your tour guide. Budget approx USD$2-3 per person per day. Tipping your tour guide is an entirely personal gesture. International flights and visa DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Marrakech Saturday. Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at Marrakech airport there will be representative from On The Go/Nomadic Expeditions to meet and transfer you to your hotel. Be sure to arrive in time for our welcome meeting at 6:00pm. Overnight - Marrakech (D) Day 2 : Dades Gorge Marrakech - Dades Gorge. Driving through the striking Dades Valley, which extends from the High Atlas to the Jebel Sarhro range in the south, we reach the Dades Gorge - an area with beautiful towering red cliffs, winding streams and ancient kasbahs. Berbers built many kasbahs in the vicinity of gorges for deference purposes. These many kasbahs combined with the stunning natural surroundings make this a beautiful region through which to travel. Overnight - Dades Gorge (B, L, D) Day 3 : Todra Gorge Dades Gorge Todra Gorge. After breakfast we head east and discover the stunning Todra Gorge with its 300m high cliffs towering above us. Created millions of years ago, the striking gorge snakes its way through the rugged mountain range. The final 600m of the Todra Gorge are spectacular as the canyon narrows to a flat stony track as little as 10m wide in places with sheer and smooth rock walls up to 160m high on each side days - 1 -

2 We will have an early lunch at a village co-operative where hundreds of hand made Berber rugs, kilims and carpets are displayed and offered for sale. Then the afternoon is free to explore the gorge, walk through the Palmerie or if you're feel active, try your hand at rock climbing (dependent upon weather conditions, book/pay locally). With such spectacular scenery, the ever changing colours of the rock face and the hubbub of locals passing through herding camels or selling their wares, Todra Gorge is the perfect place to stop a while. Overnight - Todra Gorge (B, L, D) Day 4 : Camel trek into the Sahara Todra Gorge - Berber Camp. Crossing the Jebel Sarhro, we head down to Erg Chebbi sand dunes, which signify the start of the mighty Sahara Desert. On camel-back, we trek into the vast and silent Sahara, to a Berber camp. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Berber meal and sleep under the Saharan stars. Overnight - Berber Camp (B, L, D) Day 5 : Ouarzazate Berber Camp - Ouarzazate. Leaving the desert, we travel through the verdant Draa valley, along the route of 1000 Kasbahs, a beautiful landscape. We continue on to Ouarzazate, which was once a popular resting place for African traders on their long journeys up to Europe. Ouarzazate has a very large film studio where many great movies have been made, including Alexander the Great, Gladiator, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Living Daylights. Overnight - Ouarzazate (B, L, D) Day 6 : Ait Benhaddou - the fortified kasbah Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech. This morning there is the option to visit the film studio or go quad biking (both payable locally). Then we head to Aït Benhaddou, a fortified city, situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Ouarzazate River and boasts some beautiful examples of kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. Granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, it dates back to the 16th Century. Late afternoon we head back to Marrakech. Please note: Although blankets are provided at the campsite we strongly recommend that you bring your own sleeping bags for hygiene and also for warmth. A sleeping bag is essential between the months of November and April when temperatures at night plummet. Overnight - Marrakech (B, L, D) Day 7 : Djemaa el Fna Marrakech - breakfast. Glowing red, like a welcoming campfire, against the snowcapped High Atlas Mountains, the very name Marrakech conjures up images of an exotic, distant city, of magic carpets and snake charmers and of frankincense and myrrh brought in by camel trains. Set within the rose-coloured walls of the medina lies a reality that is not that far removed from an exotic film set a tangle of winding streets that open onto verdant gardens and dark alleyways that lead to bustling souks. The focal point is the central square, the Djemaa el Fna, an extraordinary gathering and market place. Full of colour, spicy aromas and traders it is best seen in the evening when overflowing with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and henna artists. Towering over all this is the Koutoubia mosque, the tallest building in the city, and a reminder of the importance of Islam, to the lives of the city s residents. Enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech in the morning with free time after lunch. Perhaps test your bartering skills, buying souvenirs in the souks! Overnight - Marrakech (B) Day 8 : Beachside Essaouira Marrakech Essaouira. This morning we take the Supratours public bus to Essaouira. With a laid-back feel Essaouira is Morocco s hippest coastal town. The windswept fishing port, broad beaches and ancient walled medina with ramparts built into the cliff have long been a favourite refuge for artists, sculptors, food lovers, surfers and backpackers. The medina surrounded by a fortress with 5 main gates you can navigate by, has retained its traditional styles and is laden with quirky shops, coffee houses, antiques, art studios, calligraphers, t- shirt designers and souvenir curios. There s a relaxed feel to the place and shopping here is a real delight. Locals and visitors alike enjoy strolling along the ramparts as the sun sets. The port is a hive of activity with fishing boats hauling in their daily catch days - 2 -

3 Opt for a swim in the Atlantic, though the water is a little cold this time of year, a game of football on the beach with the locals, an afternoon at the hammam, surfing, wind surfing or kite surfing (very cool to watch, even if you d rather not participate yourself). The beach is also great for a stroll and since it runs for about 6 miles (10km) there s plenty of it. By nightfall sit back and relax at any one of the many al fresco cafes, pubs or bars serving cold beer and the freshest seafood. Free time to explore Marrakech, try a hammam and practice your bargaining skills in the souks. Overnight - Essaouira (B, L) Day 9 : Explore your own way Essaouira. Enjoy a free day relaxing on the beach, topping up your tan, shopping in the quaint village souk or choose from a number of exciting optional activities such as quad biking, horse riding, surfing or wind surfing available about town. Overnight - Essaouira (B) Day 10 : One last swim in the Atlantic Essaouira Marrakech. This morning is free for you to spend at leisure or the final opportunity to try one of the optional activities. We have lunch in Essaouira before heading back to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech on the Supratours public bus. This evening we all go out for a group meal and celebrate the end of a successful tour! Overnight - Marrakech (B, L) Day 11 : Marrakech Tuesday. Spend the morning relaxing or picking up a few last minute souvenirs. Our tour concludes upon hotel check out at 12 noon.(b) Our Partners in Morocco This tour is operated in conjunction with Nomadic Expeditions, our partner in Morocco. Arrival Transfers We provide a complimentary airport arrival transfer on day 1 of your tour from Marrakech Airport or if you arrive early and have booked pre tour accommodation with us. Please proceed to the arrivals hall and look for our representative holding an On The Go Tours sign. If you are arriving earlier and have booked your accommodation independently, you will need to make your own way to our start hotel, which will be centrally located. The hotel name and address can be found on your tour voucher. If, for any reason you have trouble locating our representative (after waiting 20 minutes in the arrival hall) or your flight to Morocco is delayed, please call or send a text message to the emergency contact number as stated on your tour voucher. Departure transfers are not included. A taxi to the airport will cost approx MAD100 and can be booked locally. Pre/Post Tour Accommodation Pre and post tour accommodation in Marrakech can be booked upon request. Please contact us for rates. If you are arriving early and book pre tour accommodation with us then you will still qualify for our complimentary airport arrival transfer. Optional Activities During the free time offered on this tour you are welcome head out and independently explore, relax or take part in one or more optional activities. The optional activities listed at the end of this Go Guide, may be available on your tour, though not guaranteed. Prices may vary and bookings can be made locally. The half day hot air ballooning excursion from Marrakech includes: Land rover transportation, a traditional breakfast, a 1 hour hot air balloon flight in front of the High Atlas Mountains, a visit to a local Berber house and a camel ride in the palmerie of Marrakech. Rock climbing at Todra Gorge is not offered if it is raining or very windy. Please also note that rock climbing is not suitable for travellers under the age of 16. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Visas Please be advised that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Morocco. UK, EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and USA nationals do not require a visit at present to enter Morocco. Please check if you are from another country. RSA (South African) passport holders need to obtain visas in advance of arrival. Please check your personal visa requirements with the embassy. Climate Morocco is a great year round destination, blessed with lots of sunshine and a temperate climate. It can become incredibly hot in the summer months with temperatures 38 C or higher, particularly in July and August so use plenty of sun screen, cover up and drink plenty of water. The nights can be cooler especially in the mountains or in the desert and it is windy along the coast throughout the year. During the winter months (November to February), temperatures usually remain pleasant in the cities, averaging around 20 C, but it is very cold at nights, in the desert and in the Atlas Mountains. There is often snow in the Atlas Mountains from November through until March and temperatures can drop to below freezing - so take plenty of warm clothes - 11 days - 3 -

4 including jacket, long-sleeved tops, jumper, gloves and trousers. Shopping Morocco is a shoppers paradise. The souks of Fes, Marrakech and Meknes are full of pottery, carpets and killims, leather goods, spices and cloth. Thuya wood products are found predominantly at Essaouira. Keep space in your backpack for your purchases! Our best buys are: carpets from the High Atlas mountains or a woven and embroidered Kilim; the burnoose, an elegant hooded cape; spices; art from Asilah; or traditional pottery and leather from Fes. IMPORTANT: Set your budget and don t be swayed, remember the caveat Let the buyer beware. Any purchases made whilst on holiday with us, irrespective of whether the store is recommended by us or other, are at your own discretion. Please make sure that you are completely happy with the product you are purchasing and the delivery arrangements (we would recommend you take away with you any purchases rather than rely on shipping services). On The Go cannot be held responsible or accountable for items bought in country or shipping arrangements. Proceed with caution. Hotels in Morocco The hotels on our group trips are simple, clean, comfortable and centrally located. We try to use local and traditional hotels with plenty of character wherever possible. In smaller towns, the choice of accommodation may be limited but we will always book the best accommodation available for our groups. Please be aware that hotels in Morocco are not of the same standard as Western hotels or of hotels in some neighbouring destinations such as Egypt and Jordan and facilities are often basic. Trouble Shooting These things will most likely never happen, but it s good to be prepared if they ever do. Here are a few tips to keep your trip hassle-free. Morocco is no worse than anywhere else when it comes to crime. The biggest problem seems to be petty theft, including pick-pocketing and bag snatching. Minimise your chances of being robbed with these tips: Leave valuables in the hotel safe deposit or better still, at home Carry your passport on your person or a photocopy as ID Carry your bag close to your person rather than over your shoulder Travel in a group or pair, especially if you are female Don t catch cabs late at night on your own Never drink anything offered to you in the street, unless you opened it yourself Please note On The Go Tours will not be held liable for loss or damage to personal property under any circumstances. Time & Voltage Morocco is on Greenwich Meantime (GMT). Daylight Saving is currently being observed. However it changes frequently and is not observed during the holy month of Ramadan. Standard voltage is 220 volts. Primary sockets require the European, 2 pronged variety. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter, and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances. Health Requirements You should seek medical advice before travelling to Morocco from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Tetanus and Hepatitis A are strongly recommended. While tap water in Morocco is generally considered safe to drink in main cities, it is not advisable in smaller towns and remote areas. It's recommended to only drink bottled mineral water, which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. Currency The currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham. Pound Sterling, US Dollars and Euro be exchanged in Morocco at various bureau de changes in major cities and towns (please note Australian and New Zealand Dollars as well as South African Rand are often tricky to exchange so we advise against bringing them for exchange), and most banks have ATMs. Credit cards are virtually useless outside main cities and towns. It's advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities.traveller's Cheques are not recommended as they're often difficult to exchange and incur high fees. Holiday Money How much you spend depends largely on individual tastes and often how much you eat, drink or shop. We currently recommend an average of USD$25-35 per day on top of optional excursions. Essential Packing A sleeping bag for the Sahara Desert camp if travelling between Nov - Apr. From May - Oct a cotton sleep sheet will be adequate. If booking our 'Sahara Hotel Upgrade' (available on our Totally Morocco, Road to Casablanca, Best of Morocco & Casablanca to Essaouria tours) you will not need to bring either of these. Lightweight cotton garments in summer, warm clothing for winter (temperatures can get quite low at night) Comfortable walking shoes or hiking shoes Electrical adapter. Standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a Continental or European style plug (two round pins) DEET based mosquito repellent and antihistamine cream Personal first aid kit including Dioralyte. 2 spare passport photos & a photocopy of your passport A small daypack for your day-to-day needs. Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume, torch, money belt Either a rucksack or suitcase is suitable. A towel for swimming Group tour Tip Kitty & Entrance Fees A tipping kitty (the amount is noted under 'what is not included'), will be collected by your guide at the welcome meeting on day 1. This is payable in Moroccan Dirhams. USD, Euro or GBP can also be accepted, at the current exchange rate. The tipping kitty is used for the following; hotel porters, hotel waiters, local guides for city tours, airport transfer drivers, Berber camel herders and local restaurant tips days - 4 -

5 The tipping kitty does not include a tip for your tour leader and as a guideline we recommend you budget approx USD$2-3 per day to tip them for a job well done (payable in local currency). Naturally the amount is up to you though, this is simply a suggestion. On our Totally Morocco, Christmas in Morocco, Rock the Kasbah & Surf the New Year tours the tipping kitty does not include a tip for your tour leader or your driver and as a guideline we recommend that you budget approx USD$1-2 per day as a tip for your driver. Entrance fees are not included on our Christmas in Morocco, Rock the Kasbah & Surf the New Year tours. The amount is noted under 'what is not included' and this amount will also be collected by your guide at the welcome meeting on day 1. This is payable in Moroccan Dirhams. Again USD, Euro or GBP are accepted at the current exchange rate. On all other group tours entrance fees are included. It's not like home Travel to far - flung corners of the earth involves lifestyles and conditions that are sometimes very different from what you are used to back home. You must come prepared to cope with unusual situations, local inadequacies and unpredictable events as and when they occur. Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for people who expect or demand everything to go exactly as planned. With the greatest respect and in the interest of your ultimate enjoyment you must understand this. Things can and do change in foreign countries. Mosques & Religion Although freedom of religious faith is permitted by the Moroccan law, about 99% of people are Sunni Muslim. About 1% of the population is Christian, and less than 0.2 percent is Jewish. With the exception of Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, it is not permitted for non-muslims to enter mosques in Morocco. If you are entering the Hassan II mosque, please remember to dress conservatively. Ensure limbs are covered and shoes removed when entering any Mosque. Men must refrain from wearing shorts, as must women. RAMADAN Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world and adherents of the Muslim faith fast during daylight hours and break their fast with lavish meals and lively celebrations in the evening. Ramadan culminates a month later in a 3 day celebration called Eid al - Fitr. Many shops (excluding those which cater mainly to tourists) and attractions close earlier during Ramadan. As such we will start our tour earlier during this period to make the best use of time, leisure time will be offered in the late afternoon. Forthcoming Ramadan dates are as follows, (approximate) - 06 June - 05 July May - 25 June Many shops (excluding those which cater mainly to tourists) and attractions close earlier during Ramadan, so our itinerary is slightly altered to ensure we visit all itinerary attractions. Non Muslims are not expected to fast over Ramadan, but it is considered impolite to eat food or drink on the street. Etiquette Despite the inevitable ups and downs of travelling abroad, you will generally be shown great hospitality in Morocco. In return, please demonstrate sensitivity and respect for the local customs. Morocco is a Muslim country; so care should be taken to dress respectfully in local towns or villages. Ladies should avoid wearing clingy, tight or suggestive attire, and stick to cool, flowing, cottons in small towns, local villages and in rural areas Take care to dress conservatively and ensure that limbs are covered and remove footwear prior to entering a mosque. Ex-military style clothing should not be worn Ask permission before taking photographs of people. The standard form of greeting is a handshake. Men and women do not kiss at any time as a form of greeting. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Morocco Essaouira - horse riding 1 hr 250DH Essaouira - horse riding 2 hrs 300DH Essaouira - horse riding 3 hrs 390DH Essaouira/Ouarzazate - quad biking 1 hr 450DH Essaouira/Ouarzazate - quad biking 2 hrs 590DH Essaouira/Ouarzazate - quad biking 3 hrs 690DH Marrakech - hammam 150DH Marrakech - hot air ballooning (half day excursion) 2000DH Ouarzazate film studio 50DH Todra Gorge - rock climbing 1 hr 250DH Todra Gorge - rock climbing 2 hrs 390DH - 11 days - 5 -